Just under two months ago, Amanda Anisimova faced a crushing defeat at the hands of Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final, suffering a staggering 6-0, 6-0 loss that lingered in her mind for weeks. However, as the US Open unfolded on home soil, the 24-year-old from New Jersey resolved to banish that disappointment and seize a second chance at glory. Now, Anisimova stands on the brink of triumph once more, having fought her way back to the final after overcoming formidable opponents, including the likes of Swiatek and Naomi Osaka. The latter match was a nail-biter, concluding with a score of 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3.
Reflecting on her exhausting battle against Osaka, Anisimova admitted, “It was a really tough match. For most of the time, I thought it was slipping away from me and that I wouldn’t make it to the final. But in the last moments of the second set, I tried to remind myself what was at stake and the opportunity I had. At the start, I felt like I wasn’t playing my tennis because I was nervous and a bit overwhelmed by the stress, but then I tried to look inside myself and find my game. I feel like I found it more and more during the match, and the most important thing was to keep fighting.”
As she prepares to face the defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, Anisimova knows she is up against a daunting adversary, yet one she has proven capable of defeating. “I’m really excited to be in the US Open final. It’s really special. Aryna is the number one in the world and is playing incredible tennis. It will be a battle. We’ve had very, very tough matches. Many of them have been in Grand Slam tournaments, especially early in my career. But I think the most memorable one was probably Wimbledon. It was a hard-fought match, as almost every time I play against her. I think that was the most special for me.”
With a fierce competitive spirit and a desire to reclaim her place at the top, Anisimova is ready to embrace the challenge ahead. The anticipation is palpable as fans eagerly await what promises to be an electrifying showdown. Can Anisimova overcome her past and seize victory in this crucial match? The stage is set for a gripping finale, and one thing is for sure: the battle for the title will be nothing short of epic.
